Steps to Help Keep Your Dog Healthy

As dog owners, it is important to consider preventative ways to care for your beloved pet. There are parts of your dog's body that you can regularly care for in order to keep your dog healthy. Simply focusing on these areas can save your dog from experiencing an abundance of more dangerous health issues.

Paws

Possible problems with your dog's paws can include cuts, broken nails, dryness, blisters and poor circulation. 

Some of the ways you can keep your dog's paws healthy are by massaging them, keeping their nails trimmed, cleaning between toes, and rubbing their paws with moisturizer. 

Morris Animal Inn offers paw soaks in our Grooming Salon & Spa. 

Eyes

Your dog's eyes, without the proper care, can get infected, pink eye, ulcers, irritation and cataracts or cloudiness.

You can prevent these problems by having your groomer trim the hair by your dog's eyes, adding green vegetables to their diet, and using tear-stain remover around the eyes.

Bring your dog to Morris Animal Inn's Grooming Salon & Spa for a facial scrub that can help clean the area.

Mouth

Your dog can experience mouth problems like gingivitis, tooth decay, plaque buildup and bad breath. 

Keep your dog's mouth healthy by examining their gums and teeth for redness or swelling, brushing their teeth, strengthening their teeth with chew toys and proper dental checkups.

Schedule a teeth brushing for your dog at Morris Animal Inn's Grooming Salon & Spa. 

Joints

Dog's joints can experience swelling, arthritis, stiffness and infection. 

Try keeping them active, managing their weight, using pet stairs and giving veterinarian-recommended dietary supplements could keep your dog's joints healthy.

Morris Animal Inn offers a variety of activity packages with both private and group daycare. Always consult your veterinarian when making changes in your dog's activity level.

Ears

Ear swelling, infection, discharge, hair loss and crusty skin are all problems that dogs can experience without preventative care.

Use cotton in your dog's ears before bathing and be sure your groomer trims under their ear flaps to avoid such problems.

Regular ear cleaning is always a part of your dog's grooming at Morris Animal Inn's Grooming Salon & Spa.


Follow these simple preventative care tips to help avoid any serious health issues. By paying attention to these specific parts on your dog's body and seeing your veterinarian regularly, you can help ensure that your canine companion stays happy and healthy. Seeing your veterinarian regularly is important. For the full list of vitally important dog parts to keep healthy, click here.

Source: www.TheLittleThings.com

13 Benefits of Pumpkin for Pets

From your front doorstep, to pies, to lattes, pumpkins are everywhere this time of year! While you enjoy your pumpkin for the season, let your pet enjoy it too! Pumpkin has many health benefits for your furry friends, so consider adding it to their food or treat routine.  Their bodies will thank you too for this healthy snack!

Here are 13 ways pumpkin can benefit your pet:

1. Pumpkin seeds are a great source of protein, carbohydrates and fiber. Roast the seeds and then grind them up. Do not add salt.

2. Additionally, tapeworms and other intestinal parasites become paralyzed by cucurbitin, an amino acid in pumpkin seeds that acts as a natural de-worming agent.

3. Pumpkin flesh contains soluble fiber, which helps slows digestion, and can help manage diarrhea by absorbing water.

4. Alternatively, pumpkin also helps with constipation due to its high fiber and water content.

5. Pumpkin is great for “bulking up” your animal’s food. The extra fiber will also help a dog or cat feel full, even if they’re eating fewer calories overall. For this reason, pumpkin can aid in a pet’s weight loss program as well. Try substituting a tablespoon of canned pumpkin for a ¼ cup of food.

6. Since pumpkin slows digestion, your pet will feel fuller for longer.

7. Pumpkin flesh contains vitamin A, which is important for vision health.

8. The flesh also contains vitamin C, which boosts the immune system.

9. Dogs with joint problems need more vitamin C than they produce naturally, and pumpkin is a good source.

10. Pumpkin slows the aging process with its bountiful antioxidant beta-carotene.

11. The zinc in pumpkin will help improve skin and coat.

12. Oils found in pumpkin seeds and flesh are believed to support urinary health. Dogs with urinary incontinence, in particular, may benefit from a little pumpkin in their diet.

13. The fiber in pumpkin can help move furballs along through your cat’s digestive tract and into the litter box, rather than hacked up onto the carpet. Regularly including about a teaspoon a day of pumpkin in your cat's diet will also help prevent the formation of new furballs.


The best way to use pumpkin is to purchase plain canned pumpkin. You don’t want the “ready for a pie” version that has added fats and spices. Many pets like plain pumpkin, so you can just add it to their regular pet food. Talk to your veterinarian about how much pumpkin to safely give your pet since it will vary depending on your pet’s size and current diet.

Source: Animal Wellness Magazine, Pet MD, Pet360

8 Exercise Games for Indoor Cats

According to a recent survey conducted by Pet Obesity Prevention, more than half of cats are overweight or obese.  While treats are to blame, so is inactivity. Beyond weight management, exercise can  help reduce and even eliminate aggressive or destructive behavior in cats as well, according to the ASPCA.

Of course, we know each cat has a unique personality, so you might have to be creative with your exercise efforts! Keep in mind, games that tap into a cat’s natural hunting instincts will provide them more satisfaction and success.

1. Fishing Pole Game

You can make your own fishing pole game pretty easily. Tie your cat's favorite toy to the end of a string and throw it down the hall or across the room. Slowly pull in your catch as they hunt their toy. You may also try tying the string to the end of the stick, and dangle it in front of your cat, allowing them to jump and swat at it.

2. Use a Cat Game App

Apps just for cats?  You bet. Download an app on your iPad for your cat and watch them play. You may want to use a screen protector just in case to prevent scratches on your electronics. This is both mentally stimulating and gives your feline friend a little bit of exercise too!

3. Play Fetch

Fetch is for dogs, right?  Most of the time yes, but this game will make your cat work for their food while they burn calories and get exercise. Throw a piece of your cat's food or a treat down the hall or across the room and see if they will chase after it. Repeat the process until one of you is too tired to continue.

4. Make a Box Fort

If your cat has a soft spot for boxes, she is not alone. There is something about boxes that cats love. If you have some extra boxes around, make a fort for your cat. If you're worried that your cat will just go in and take a nap instead of play, try lacing the fort with catnip, treats, or toys.

5. Go Outside

If you have an indoor only cat, try taking them outdoors. Of course, using a leash and harness is recommended! Especially if your cat has never been outdoors. If your cat is older and scared of the outdoors, don't force them to do something they don't want to. Outside can be a scary place for some cats! But, for other cats it can be a fun place to explore and take a walk. Many cats do enjoy going outside on a leash and harness.

6. Climbing Tree

Provide your cat with something to climb on, like a multi-level cat tree or tower. This will allow your cat to stretch, claw and work climbing muscles.  Exploring the vertical space allows your cat to use different muscles and feel on top of the world at the same time.

7. Hockey

Enclose a small area in your house that has hard surfaces and give your cat a ping pong ball.  Let the ball bounce around and make your cat swat at it.  The unpredictability of the ping pong ball or a similar object will allow your cat to improve agility techniques and work their muscles.

8. Laser Pointer

A laser pointer is cheap, easy, and fun. Many cats love playing with laser pointers. Turn it on, point it on your walls and floors for your cat, and watch them try to catch the ever elusive red dot. This is a very fun game for cats and they should get a good amount of exercise! *Please be cautious when using laser pointers.  Do not shine them in your kitty's eyes!*

When are you away, it is especially important that your cat keeps up with daily exercise routines.  Morris Animal Inn provides cats who lodge with us the chance to get some exercise with our teaser sessions which include games like mouse laser lights, peacock feathers, teaser toys, and more by our team of Cat Pamperers.  Cats may also enjoy our beautifully designed kitty playroom which gives your cat free roam with climbing and scratching posts, skylight for outside view, toys, catnip, and furniture.

If your cat doesn't take to any of these games at first, don't give up! Your continued efforts will allow you to continue to bond with your furry friend, creating potential for more play times!

Source: Pawsitively Pets & Healthy Pets